Stephen Anthony Campos
June 19, 1948 ~ December 7, 2015
Resided in:
Fremont, CA
Steve passed away on Monday, December 7, 2015 at his home in Fremont, CA at the age of 67. He was born June 19, 1948 in Alameda, CA. Steve was a Fremont resident for the last 57 years.
In his career as a musician over the past 50 years, Steve made sure he exhibited professionalism, dedication and his wry sense of humor at every gig. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran also.
Steve has performed with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Dr. John, Big Brother and the Holding Co., Boz Scaggs, Rosemary Clooney, Ray Brown's Big Band, Dave Eshelman's Jazz Garden, Full Faith and Credit, Rudy Salvini, Black Market Jazz Orchestra and many other acts and bands. Steve also taught trumpet, and instructed and conducted the Jazz Big Band at UC Berkeley.
He will be remembered by many titles: loving husband of 37 years to Sheila Campos; beloved father of Stephen Campos and to Trisha Houseworth; witty stepfather of Norm Houseworth; proud grandfather of Kira and Corina Houseworth; devoted son of Anibal Campos and the late Elaine Campos; dearest brother of Colleen Reshel and her husband Alan Reshel; and caring uncle to his niece Stephanie Reshel.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate his life at a memorial service on Monday, December 28, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Blvd, Fremont, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
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Steve , RIP my friend , your humor as well as your talent will be remembered , by all those who’ve had the privilege to call you friend
Steve, I wish the years of us being brother-in-laws were still here. The happiness and support you brought to Sheila over the years, your guidance in raising Trisha and Stephen, the impact you made of the music world and your helping to shape the next generation of musicians are only some of the legacy you leave behind. Play on, Steve, play on from above!
Steve, It’s been both a pleasure and an honor to have you as friend and a fellow musician. All the moments we shared have been of the highest quality of brotherhood. I will keep your memory close to me and share the stories of times we shared making music and joy.
Steve and Family, we are so sorry. It was an honor to play with you and be your friend. You were always a great musician, and a true gentleman with a sense of humor too.
Jim and Morning Nichols
A short story about Steve Campos and me.
I went to a Kenton Clinic in Towson Maryland. June 1976 (40 years ago). I auditioned pretty well and made Lead Trumpet for the Number 2 band, under Mark Taylor. As a member of the Kenton section, Steve was one of the instructors at the clinic. He was assigned to rehearse and instruct my trumpet section. I can still remember some of the advice he gave to me…
Steve: Play louder, Dave. You’re the lead player. You’ve got to lead.
Me: Well, I didn’t want to blast you in the ear.
Steve: Don’t worry about that. I can take it. Play out.
Then,
Steve: Bite those phrases off at the end. You have got to bite them off, Dave, or the section will sound like mush.
The, at the end of the session, the ultimate compliment to a young, inexperienced jazz trumpeter.
Steve: (To the section) Well guys, it looks like you found yourselves a lead player.
Steve was a motivator, a teacher, and an expert jazz trumpeter. I will not forget him.
At that clinic, in the trumpet case of one of the Kenton trumpeters (maybe Steve) there was a handwritten message that said, very simply,… “Play well. Gozzo is listening”. I am saddened that now, its time to put a message in my case that says, simply…”Play well. Campos is listening”.
Dave Rossi
I knew Steve when he was in the Air Force & we both stationed @ Hamilton Air Force Base in Marin county. He was a great trumpet player. I remember him having doubts that he wasn’t good enough to make a living with the trumpet. It’s not unusual when your young to have doubts about your future. We were good friends. We went to movies, talked & had late night breakfast off base @ the IHOP. I saw him play at the San Francisco Jazz Festival in the early 90s. My husband encouraged me to go back stage to see him but I felt he probably wouldn’t remember me. After I married we lost touch. Saw him once in the 70s but it was awkward. So I didn’t think time would make that awkwardness to have lessened. Why is it the best die young. Loved him for his talent, for he was gifted & for the great guy he was. I knew the years would never change that about him. RIP mi amigo!
It’s been a long time. Was listening to our records from De Anza College from 1973-74 and thought I would search on Google. Sad to say, I found this. We were in the Air Force band together in CA, 1968, 69.. Steve got into a car accident and messed up his lip badly, said the doctor told him he likely would not play again. I was told I would need to play solo trumpet in his place — I felt totally inadequate, with good reason. Soon I heard him practicing scales with difficulty but determination. The rest is history. Steve would welcome the worst trumpet player to join, and have him sounding great in no time. I believe he was the most positive, motivating person I have ever met. So sad. Hope to see him again in the resurrection.
Gary Fernandez
Wow I didn’t know. Steve was a great trumpet player. We played in jazz ensemble at DeAnza ‘73-‘74 my condolences to the family.
A wonderful creative musician who played with style, wit and great creativity. I had hoped that we would grow old together. But it was not to be. I still think of him and his super hip playing.